Published on April 28, 2025

To celebrate 40 years of MSA magic, we are tracking down alumni to catch up with them since completing the Academy.

It’s not uncommon to cross paths with MSA alumni at Mizzou— one name that sticks out is the department chair of the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Botswana Blackburn. Call out “Boomba!” on campus and chances are she’ll answer.

In her own words: “I’ve had a long relationship with MSA.”

It all started in 1989 when she was a scholar – the year of kelly green and white. Botswana remembers living on the second floor of McDavid with her house, “Susan’s Surf Society,” and enjoying her major on constitutional democracy.

Before MSA, Botswana recalls that she never felt like her giftedness was fully appreciated. Her high school in Kansas City did not have any programs geared towards gifted students.

“MSA was really the first time that I felt like that it was okay to be smart, be talented and be around other people who had some of the same academic goals that I did,” Blackburn said.

Botswana’s time at the Academy included the typical human chess game, her very own talent show dance team, first square dance, and of course, taiso on the quad – all activities she remembers fondly.

Botswana noted that current events around the world that year had a major impact on scholars, sparking discussions and a sense of curiosity.

“There was also a lot happening in the summer ’89,” Blackburn said. “I remember we also had an observance for Tiananmen Square. It happened while we were [at MSA].”

Those three weeks in June left Botswana with a new perspective and lifelong friends. She said that she still talks to other scholars even 36 years later.

Upon graduating high school, Botswana enrolled in the journalism program at MU, continuing her connection with both the university and MSA. Even though the University wasn’t her first choice, the sense of familiarity and a little persuasion from her parents swayed her to attend. After graduating with her degree, she realized that journalism wasn’t quite the right fit, so she pivoted.

“I was really interested in the promotion side of journalism and the health aspect,” Blackburn said, “And so I got my master’s.”

Botswana then earned her MEd at the MU, shifting her study focus to health education and promotion. She left to get her PhD at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and work for the health department in KC returned to MU to start teaching — and hasn’t left since.

Although her career plans changed from her first time stepping foot on campus to now, she says that she ended up exactly where she was supposed to be. Her confidence is attributed to what she learned during the summer of 1989. As a scholar, Botswana learned how to be fearless and believe in herself.

“Life may not always take the direction you’re thinking,” Blackburn said. “But you’ll get to where you’re supposed to be. Sometimes we change our mind — and we learn new things.”

If it hadn’t been for her switch to the health science field, Botswana may have never been able to make the impact that she has. Not only has she been heavily involved in her department for fourteen years, but she is also on the Honors College Admission Committee and the Stamps Scholarship Selection Committee. Additionally, she typically returns to MSA each summer to host an afternoon program about healthcare in Missouri for scholars. In 2014, she was a keynote speaker.

Like many alumni, Botswana know how beneficial programs like MSA are to gifted students in Missouri.

“Gifted and talented students are often overlooked because people think they’re going to be fine regardless,” Blackburn said. “And so, resources are directed other places. But I think whether it’s gifted education, whether it’s the arts, you know, they all have a role. They all are important, and they all should be supported”

MSA is extremely proud of our alumni, and Botswana Blackburn is no exception. Her journey is a great example of how far someone can go if they have determination and a supportive community like the Academy.

We are so excited to celebrate all our alumni at the 40 Years of Magic Celebration Event in June! Head to the Anniversary webpage to RSVP.